From: arl_123234@hotmail.com   
      
   On 1/4/19 12:35 PM, Tom Horne wrote:   
   > On Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 10:10:18 AM UTC-5, J.B. Wood wrote:   
   >> Hello, all.  As most portable consumer-grade AC generators don't have   
   >> their grounds (frame and ground prongs on their mounted AC outlets)   
   >> bonded to their neutrals, I was wondering what useful function having a   
   >> 3-prong U-ground outlet on the genset performs (other than mating with   
   >> appliance and extension cords).  In a residence having the neutrals and   
   >> green (grounding) wires connected together at the service entrance   
   >> ensures that hot wire-to-exposed metal frame appliance faults (assuming   
   >> appliance is using a 3-wire cord) will trip the appropriate panel   
   >> breaker/fuse.  This would not appear to be the case when using the   
   >> portable generator.  I'm only assuming that the generator is servicing   
   >> 3-wire plugged-in appliances.  I don't think it's a shock issue outdoors   
   >> if a hot-to-ground fault in the appliance occurs, it may continue to   
   >> function normally until it's subsequently plugged into a   
   >> residential/commercial AC power outlet.   
   >>   
   >> Of course the equivalent action in the residence could be had by bonding   
   >> the generator's neutral to its frame ground.  Your time and comment is   
   >> greatly appreciated.  Sincerely,   
   >>   
   >> --   
   >> J. B. Wood	            e-mail: arl_123234@hotmail.com   
   >   
   > I came up short at your first assertion.  In my 55 years of doing various   
   forms of local power production installs I don't remember finding one off the   
   floor portable generator were the neutral was not bonded to the frame.   
   >   
      
   Hello, and many thanks for replying.  I think many of the Champion and   
   Honda models have floating (unbonded) neutrals.  The ground prong of the   
   genset's utility outlets are still connected to its metal frame,   
   however.  If the frame of a bonded neutral generator is also connected   
   to a conductive ground (e.g. earth via a driven ground rod), then the   
   "hot" terminal of the genset is also "hot" wrt to earth.  We now have   
   increased the possibility for electrical shock when using an appliance   
   with an exposed metal frame/shell without an intact ground (green wire)   
   return to the genset to carry fault current.  Sincerely,   
      
   --   
   J. B. Wood	            e-mail: arl_123234@hotmail.com   
      
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